Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Bamburi Rugby Super Series Final Preview

Held annually since 2003, the history of the Bamburi Rugby SuperSeries speaks for itself. No franchise has managed a successful titledefence.Saturday afternoon sets the stage for the 8th final that willbe played out between defending champions UAP Rhinos, and challengersSDV Transami Cheetahs at Nairobi's RFUEA grounds from 4.00pmCan the Rhinos re-write history by becoming the first franchise tosuccessfully defend the title? 2010 is an evenly numbered year andlooking back at their previous title wins in 2004 and 2006, can theCheetahs win it in their favored even years?

The Cheetahs have not been in the final since their 2006 triumph butit is important to note that they have a 75% success rate in BRSSfinals. Sample this; they were runners up to the Rhinos in 2003,before winning it in '04 and '06. Cheetahs captain Mike Aung will beout to ensure his side's success on Saturday.

On the other hand, the Rhinos have been arguably the most successfulteam in the BRSS with three titles, one more than their closest rivalsand opponents in Saturday's final, the Cheetahs. Edward Kinyany's sidehas won two of the last three titles. This year sees them in theirfourth successive final.

Both teams are evenly matched heading into Saturday's final. TheRhinos have three titles under their belt (2003, 2007 and 2009) whilethe Cheetahs have two titles (2004 and 2006). Their paths to finalhave been similar, if not identical, something that can also be saidabout their styles of play. Even their try counts hardly set themapart, the Rhinos have scored 20 tries, averaging 34 points per matchwith the Cheetahs touching down 23 times, averaging 39 points permatch. They went unbeaten in round robin play, topping theirrespective pools. The Rhinos booked their berth in the final with a17-5 win over the Lions while the Cheetahs beat Victoria 20-3 to booka date with the Rhinos.

Both sides have a sprinkling of former and current Kenya sevens andfifteens internationals and their influence has been immense.

Saturday's final promises to a classic spectacle. Despite the sheerclass that will be on display on Saturday when the likes of FrankNdong, Vincent Ongera, Mike Aung, Tony Mutai, Ben Nyambu, AllanOnyango, Kelvin Omiyo, Peter Abuoga, Nato Simiyu and Sidney Ashioyastep out onto the RFUEA turf, the side that shows strength ofcharacter and has the ability to adjust will run off with the 2010Bamburi Rugby Super Series title.

This match will be preceded by the third place playoff pittingUganda's Kampala Coach Victoria against the Lions from 2.00pm.

The Kenya women's national team will face off with their Ugandancounterparts in an international friendly at the same venue in 12.00pmkickoff. These two sides met on Saturday 8th May when Kenya wereminutes away from a historic win in Kampala before conceding two latetries that saw the match end in a 10-10 draw.

*This article is dedicated to Joshua Gathumbi who lit up the lives ofmany. RIP Josh